max # of mm above headset for spacers
10-04-10 | 04:54 PM
#1
Thread Starter
Advisor
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 544
Likes: 2
From: Central New Jersey
max # of mm above headset for spacers
For an installed fork and steerer, what is the safe maximum above the headset in mm for a carbon and an aluminum steerer? I want to order a frame and then cut the steerer tube and leave the maximum which will give me the opportunity to make it shorter as I choose.
10-04-10 | 05:35 PM
#2
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,701
Likes: 0
From: Wahiawa. Oahu
carbon is rumored to be 1.5" of spacers max between the headset and the stem for a 1-1/8" steerer
Aluminum is basically OK to use the whole uncut length if you want to--but be reasonable. It depends on how much torque and stress is going to be put on it. If you plan on downhill leaps into boulder-strewn gullies, common sense would suggest less spacer stack than leisurely rides around town.
Sheldon shows a photo of one of his bikes where he has a locking headset spacer immediately above the headset; and then the stem installed several inches above it, with no spacers in between.
Aluminum is basically OK to use the whole uncut length if you want to--but be reasonable. It depends on how much torque and stress is going to be put on it. If you plan on downhill leaps into boulder-strewn gullies, common sense would suggest less spacer stack than leisurely rides around town.
Sheldon shows a photo of one of his bikes where he has a locking headset spacer immediately above the headset; and then the stem installed several inches above it, with no spacers in between.
10-04-10 | 06:24 PM
#3
Banned
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 43,586
Likes: 1,380
From: NW,Oregon Coast
Bikes: 8
Spacers above the stem, will allow you to try out the extra handle bar height adjustments ,
before you commit Hack Saw.
I use a locking spacer directly above the Integrated Headset, as there is just a jumble of parts
when I take the stem off without it.
before you commit Hack Saw.
I use a locking spacer directly above the Integrated Headset, as there is just a jumble of parts
when I take the stem off without it.
10-04-10 | 06:31 PM
#4
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 12,257
Likes: 5
From: A Coffin Called Earth. or Toronto, ON
Bikes: Bianchi, Miyata, Dahon, Rossin
usually the fork manufacturer will specify maximum extension above the headset.
__________________
Food for thought: if you aren't dead by 2050, you and your entire family will be within a few years from starvation. Now that is a cruel gift to leave for your offspring. ;)
https://sanfrancisco.ibtimes.com/arti...ger-photos.htm
Food for thought: if you aren't dead by 2050, you and your entire family will be within a few years from starvation. Now that is a cruel gift to leave for your offspring. ;)
https://sanfrancisco.ibtimes.com/arti...ger-photos.htm
10-04-10 | 06:47 PM
#5
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,104
Likes: 1
From: Austin
Bikes: Too many to count
This really depends. I too have heard the 1.5" general rule of thumb. Don't know where that came from, but it's got to be made up. If you are running a superlight fork, then I'd be wary to have a lot of steerer exposed. However, for the really tall guys on smallish frames, you don't really have much of a choice. I know a guy, pro basketball player, who had to have a ton of spacers. He couldn't get a frame his size without going custom, so he just went with the largest size the bike shop had and stacked a ton of spacers on there.
10-04-10 | 07:55 PM
#6
Guest
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 3,768
Likes: 6
From: Grid Reference, SK
Bikes: I never learned to ride a bike. It is my deepest shame.
This really depends. I too have heard the 1.5" general rule of thumb. Don't know where that came from, but it's got to be made up. If you are running a superlight fork, then I'd be wary to have a lot of steerer exposed. However, for the really tall guys on smallish frames, you don't really have much of a choice. I know a guy, pro basketball player, who had to have a ton of spacers. He couldn't get a frame his size without going custom, so he just went with the largest size the bike shop had and stacked a ton of spacers on there.
Some manufacturers specify a maximum spacer amount. Some do not. Forks with very tight limitations on spacers will tend to be very lightweight racing models.
10-04-10 | 08:37 PM
#7
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 33,657
Likes: 1,119
From: Pittsburgh, PA
Bikes: '96 Litespeed Catalyst, '05 Litespeed Firenze, '06 Litespeed Tuscany, '20 Surly Midnight Special, All are 3x10. It is hilly around here!
General manufacturers recommendation for carbon steerers:
1. For a 1" steerer, a maximum of 25 mm of spacers.
2. For a 1-1/8" steerer most say 35 mm maximum and Easton says 50 mm maximum.
For aluminum, and particularly Cr-Mo, the sky is the limit for 1-1/8" steerers but, as Clark said, be reasonable.
1. For a 1" steerer, a maximum of 25 mm of spacers.
2. For a 1-1/8" steerer most say 35 mm maximum and Easton says 50 mm maximum.
For aluminum, and particularly Cr-Mo, the sky is the limit for 1-1/8" steerers but, as Clark said, be reasonable.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
crypticlineage
Bicycle Mechanics
24
11-18-12 07:40 PM
